SB 191 
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SB 191 
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICl 

| BULLETIN No. 307 „ 

Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry 
WM. A. TAYLOR, Chief 




J&f'&J-U 




■sZ&%j-u 



Washington, D. C. 



PROFESSIONAL PAPER 



December 14, 1915 



TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 

By L. ~L. Zook. 

Physiologist, Office of Corn Investigations. 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction 1 

Natural limitations to corn production 1 

Adaptability of varieties 3 



Page. 

Time required for maturity 7 

Results of tests of varieties 8 

Summary of tests 17 



INTRODUCTION. 

This bulletin contains results of varietal tests conducted on dry 
land and under irrigation at several stations 1 in the Great Plains area. 
These tests have been conducted for the purpose of studying the 
possibilities of the region for corn production, to study in what ways 
the climatic influences would affect different varieties and seed from 
different localities, and to determine what varieties might offer the 
best possibilities for further improvement and adaptation to the 
region. 

The tests have not been conducted for a sufficient length of time 
to make the results conclusive. They have, however, furnished in- 
formation regarding varietal differences which is thought to be of 
sufficient interest to warrant publication at this time. 

NATURAL LIMITATIONS TO CORN PRODUCTION. 

The chief limitation to corn production on the Great Plains is that 
of climate. This area is characterized by scant and uncertain pre- 
cipitation and short, variable growing seasons. The effects of these 

1 These tests have been conducted by the Office of Corn Investigations at Huntley, Mont., Newell, S. Dak., 
and Mitchell, Nebr., in cooperation with the Office of Western Irrigation Agriculture; at North Platte, 
Nebr. in cooperation with the Nebraska Experiment Substation; and at Akron, Colo., in cooperation with 
the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture. At the first two stations mentioned the work has been for the most 
part conducted by Dan Hansen and Beyer Aune, farm superintendents. At the other stations assistance 
has been rendered by Fritz Knorr, V. V. Burr, and O. J. Grace. 

Note. — This bulletin is of particular interest to farmers, investigators, and teachers in the Great Plains 
area. 

6827°— Bull. 307—15 1 M 

Mentgrapn 












^v 

^y 



BULLETIN 307, U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



influences vary in amount from only slight injury to total crop failure 
and in extent from restricted localities to extended areas. A year 
seldom occurs in which as a result of these influences there is not 
some restriction to the growth and development of the corn plant. 
In favorable seasons and localities good yields are frequently ob- 
tained, but efforts to 
grow corn for grain 
with the natural rain- 
fall of this area have 
often resulted in par- 
tial or total crop fail- 
ures. It is to be ex- 
pected that the same 
conditions and results 
will in a large measure 
continue to occur. 

In those localities 
where it has been pos- 
sible to supplement 
the natural rainfall 
with irrigation, corn 
is raised with consid- 
erable success. Fail- 
ures which at first oc- 
curred on account of 
carelessness and the 
unintelligent use of 
water and from at- 
tempting to grow va- 
rieties not adapted to 
the locality are being 
corrected as knowl- 
edge is gained from 
experience. 

The part of the 
Great Plains area 
best adapted to corn 
production is the 
north-central section. 
(Fig. 1.) In this sec- 
tion, notwithstanding the frequent failures of corn to produce grain, 
the area devoted to its production has increased until corn is one of 
the most generally and widely grown crops. Corn is less successful in 
the southern Plains area, as drought injury is more severe, on account 
of the higher evaporation rate. Corn does not successfully compete 
in production with the grain sorghums under these conditions, and 

D. of. EU 
DEC 2LV915 




Fig. 1.— Sketch map of the Great Plains area, showing the annual 
rainfall (heavy black lines) and the region (dotted section) to 
which the varietal adaptations of corn discussed in this bulletin 
apply. 



TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 3 

the quality of the crop produced is usually poor, owing to earworm 
injury. 

In the most northern sections and in the high altitudes along the 
western border, the short season prevents the growing of any except 
very early varieties of corn, and these reach full maturity only in 
favorable years. 

ADAPTABILITY OF VARIETIES. 

Not much attention has been given to seed selection and improve- 
ment in this area. Established varieties are few, and seed shortages 
are frequently caused by crop failures. These conditions create a 
need for information as to what may be expected from different 
kinds of seed. 

The following descriptive list of varieties and results of trials re- 
ported calls attention to differences which have been found to exist 
between the varieties grown and indicates in a general way what may 
be expected from them in different localities. 

This list includes varieties which have been grown in at least two 
trials made by the Department of Agriculture in the Plains area. 
Many other varieties are adapted to and grown .in this area. For 
various localities some of these may be superior to any varieties 
included in this list. 

A great variety of colors is found among dent, flint, and soft corns. 
Among flint corns white and yellow colors predominate, while among 
flour corns blue and mixed colors are of more frequent occurrence. 

Dent, flint, and soft varieties of corn are listed separately, and a 
brief introductory description is given of the importance and peculi- 
arities of each class. 

DENT VARIETIES. 

The dent corns are more extensively grown in the Plains area than 
are the flint and flour or soft corns. A considerable diversity of type 
exists between varieties, and within many so-called varieties almost 
as great diversity exists as between varieties. In dent corns, which 
have been grown in this section for some time, there is a tendency 
toward flintiness or hardness of texture. Whether this is due to mix- 
ing with flint corns or to a natural effect of the adverse climatic con- 
ditions has not been determined. A greater tendency to sucker is 
also evident among these corns than among the dent corns of the corn- 
belt States. This is probably due both to the lack of selection to 
suppress the tendency and to the stimulus of favorable conditions in 
the early stages of growth. In much of this region the soils are fertile 
and usually in good physical condition in the spring. They are light 
enough in texture to warm up readily and usually contain sufficient 
and seldom an excess of moisture. These conditions favor a rapid 
early growth, which is usually accompanied by profuse suckering. 



4 BULLETIN 307, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 

The discussion of adaptations of varieties given in the following list 
applies only to that section of the north-central Plains shown as a 
dotted area in figure 1 : 

TJ. S. Selection 160.— Kernels light yellow; depth medium shallow; hard, and but 
slightly dented; cob white; ear surface smooth. Seed secured from central Cali- 
fornia. This variety 
is not adapted to this 
section. 
Calico. — The corns of this 
name are extensively 
grown in this section. 
There are many vari- 
ations in color, hard- 
ness, size and shape 
of ear, and length of 
time required to ma- 
ture. All are charac- 
terized by red stripes 
on the seed coat or 
hull of the kernel, 
but the color associ- 
ated with this may 
be either white or yel- 
low. Mixed cob col- 
ors predominate, but 
white and red cobs 
occur. Two strains 
are given below. 
(a) North Platte Cal- 
ico . — Kernel color 
medium; depth me- 
dium to shallow; 
somewhat flinty; sur- 
face, medium to 
smooth. Grown at 
North Platte Experi- 
ment Substation for 
several years, where 
some attention has 
been given to its se- 
lection to reduce 
sucker production 
and to increase yield. 
Fig. 2.— Ears of corn of U. S. Selection 133. This corn has been 

used as a standard for the variety tests conducted at North Platte and has been 

outyielded there in but few instances. It will mature in the southeastern part of 

this section. 
(b) Mitchell Calico— Similar to North Platte Calico except that it is about 10 days 

earlier in matiirity and suckers somewhat more. This corn has been grown under 

irrigation for several years on the Scottsbluff, Nebr., Experiment Farm. It is 

adapted to similar conditions. 
Silver King, or Wisconsin 7.— Kernels white, medium to deep, inclined to starchiness; 

cob white; ear surface rough. Seed secured from Wisconsin. Will mature in the 

southeastern part of this territory. 




TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 



Minnesota 13.- — Kernels yellow, depth medium to shallow; col) red. Seed secured 
from Minnesota. This corn is grown over a wide range of territory in the North- 
Central States, and seed secured from different sections requires different seasons 
to mature. Average seed will mature in the southeastern half of this territory. 

U. S. Selection 133. — Kernels yellow, depth medium; coh red; ear surface medium 
smooth. Seed secured from Wisconsin. Will mature in the greater part of this 
territory. This corn 
has occupied a high 
rank for yield in all 
tests in which it has 
been included, fre- 
quently outyielding 
seed grown in the vi- 
cinity of the tests. 
Typical ears are 
shown in figure 2. 

Golden Glow . — Kernels 
yellow, depth me- 
dium; cob red; ear 
surface medium. 
Seed secured from 
Wisconsin. Will ma- 
ture only in the south- 
ern half of this 
territory in favorable 
seasons and locations. 

Colorado Early Select. — 
Kernels yellow, 
depth medium; cob 
red; ear surface me- 
dium. Seed secured 
from eastern Colo- 
rado. Too late in ma- 
turing for most of this 
territory . 

Ninety-Day Disco. — Ker- 
nels white, depth me- 
dium; cob white; ear 
surface medium. 
Seed secured from 
southeastern South 
Dakota. Will ma- 
ture in the southern 
part of this territory. 

Swadley. — Kernel color 
white-capped yellow 




Fig. 3.— Ears of Martens White Dent corn. 



depth rather shallow; cobs red; ear surface usually 
smooth. Variable in type. Seed secured from Washington County, Colo. Quite 
commonly grown and popularly regarded as being adapted to dry-land condi- 
tions. It will mature in about the southern half of this territory. 
Ardmore Yellow. — Kernels yellow, shallow, and broad; cobs mostly white; ear surface 
smooth; usually eight rows of kernels on the ear; variable in type; stalks short 
and ears borne close to ground; suckers profusely. Seed secured from south- 
western South Dakota. This corn is very early and will mature in any part of 
this territory. It usually produces some grain even in severe years, but yields 
less than larger varieties in favorable years and localities. 



6 



BULLETIN 307, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



Martens White Dent. — Kernels white with some yellow mixture, depth medium to 
shallow; cob white; ear surface medium; quite variable in type. Seed secured 
from northwestern Nebraska, where it has been grown without irrigation for a 

number of years. It 
has occupied a high 
rank for yield in a 
number of tests and 
seems to be a very 
hardy, early-maturing 
corn. It will mature 
in all of this territory 
except in localities of 
shortest season and in 
seasons when very 
early frosts occur. 
Typical ears are shown 
in figure 3. 
Brown County Yellow. — 
Kernels yellow, small; 
cobs red; ear surface 
medium to rough. 
Seed secured from 
eastern South Dakota. 
This is a very early, 
hardy corn and will ma- 
ture in any part of this 
territory. Under favor- 
able conditions it will 
not produce as heavily 
as some of the larger 
and later varieties. 
Northwestern Dent. — Ker- 
nels red with light-col- 
ored caps; cobs white; 
ear surface medium to 
smooth; stalks short; 
produces many suck- 
ers. Seed secured from 
central North Dakota. 
Seed from different lo- 
calities varies greatly 
in time required to ma- 
ture. Average seed 
will mature in almost 
any part of this terri- 
tory. Particularly 
adapted to localities 
having short growing 
seasons. 




Fig. 4.— Ears of White Australian corn. 



Minnesota 2, $.— Kernels yellow with white caps, depth medium to shallow; cobs red; 

ear surface medium to smooth; stalks small with few suckers. Seed secured 

from Minnesota. This corn is among the very early dent varieties. 
Payne. White Dent— Kernels white, depth medium to shallow; cobs white. Seed 

secured from eastern South Dakota. Will mature in the southeastern half of this 

territory. 



TESTS OP CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 7 

FLINT VARIETIES. 

In most of this territory the flint corns are less popular and less 
extensively grown than the dent corns. Their objectionable features 
are the hardness of the grain when fully mature and the difficulty of 
husking. The flint corns are regarded as being very hardy and under 
adverse conditions frequently outyield dent corns. The flint corns 
sucker profusely and respond to favorable conditions by producing 
ears on suckers and by producing more than one ear to the stalk. 

If fed before becoming fully mature and under conditions where it 
is possible to harvest the crop with live stock, some of the flint corns 
may exceed dent varieties in profitable production. 

White Australian. — Kernel color dull white; very hard; ears smooth and with 10 to 14 
rows of kernels. Seed secured from eastern Colorado. Of the flint varieties this 
corn is that most generally grown in this territory. It will mature in nearly all 
localities. In all tests in which it has been included it has compared well in 
yield with the best flint and dent varieties. Typical ears are shown in figure 4. 

Cassia Count!/ Flint. — Similar to White Australian. The two varieties are probably 
of the same origin. Seed secured from southern Idaho. 

Gchu Flint. — Kernels light yellow, small, and very hard; cob white; ears small and 
smooth; stalks small and ears borne very close to ground. Seed secured from 
central North Dakota. This corn is one of the very earliest grown in the United 
States and will safely mature in any part of this territory. 

Amber Flint. — Kernel color amber; ears medium size. Seed secured from eastern 
South Dakota. Will mature in the southeastern part of this territory. 

SOFT OR FLOUR VARIETIES. 

The soft or so-called flour or squaw corns are grown to a somewhat 
less extent than the flints in this territory. In appearance, character 
of plants, and habits of growth they are very similar to the flint 
corns. As the name implies, they are soft in texture. The mature 
corn is more easily eaten by live stock than flint corn, but it is prob- 
ably somewhat inferior in feeding value. 

Between the true flint and flour types there are all gradations in 
texture. 

Mitchell Blue Flour. — Kernels blue, with some white mixture; has a slight flintiness; 
cob white: small stalks with ears close to ground. Seed secured from extreme 
west-central Nebraska. Will mature in any part of this territory. 

Dakota Red Squaw. — Color dark red ; has a slight flintiness; cobs white. Seed secured 
from eastern South Dakota. This corn matures in the southern half of this terri- 
tory and has given fair yields where tried. 

TIME REQUIRED FOR MATURITY. 

The time required for any variety of corn to reach maturity 
depends largely upon the conditions of temperature, sunshine, and 
moisture of the locality where grown. The performance of a variety 
in one locality can not, therefore, be taken as an indication, except in 
a general way, of the time required by that variety to mature in 
other localities where conditions of growth are different. Under like 



8 BULLETIN 307, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 

conditions, however, different varieties are affected in much the same 
way; that is, differences between early and late varieties are in a 
measure retained, whether maturity is delayed or hastened by growing 
conditions. 

The varieties previously described are arranged in Table I in their 
approximate order of earliness, as nearly as this could be judged from 
all the tests conducted. The earliest varieties are placed first and the 
latest varieties last in the table. The extreme range in time of 
maturity is about 25 days. The earliest varieties require under 
average conditions from 75 to 85 days, while the latest ones require 
from 100 to 110 days to mature. 

For convenience of reference the varieties are divided into three 
classes, designated as very early, early, and comparatively late. 
There is a marked difference in the average time of maturity of these 
classes, but the lines between classes are necessarily somewhat arbi- 
trary; that is, the differences between the last varieties in one class 
and the first varieties in the next class are not greater than the differ- 
ence between varieties of the same class. 

Table I. — Corn varieties in the order of their earliness in reaching maturity. 



Class 1. 


Class 2. 


Class 3. 


Very early varieties: 


Farlv varieties: 


Comparatively late varieties: 


Gehu Flint. 


Martens White Dent. 


North Platte Silver Mine. 


Northwestern Dent. 


U. S. Selection 133. 


North Platte Calico. 


Minnesota 23. 


Minnesota 13. 


U. S. Selection 160. 


Brown County Yellow. 


Cassia County Flint. 




Ardmore Yellow. 


White Australian. 




Mitchell Blue Flour. 


Swadley. 

Dakota Red Squaw. 

Ninety-Day Disco. 

Amber Flint. 

MitchellCalico. 

Golden Glow. 

Colorado Early Select. 






Wisconsin 7. 





RESULTS OF TESTS OF VARIETIES. 

Tests of corn varieties have been conducted at several stations in 
the north-central Great Plains area. Yields secured for each station 
and year when a successful crop has been produced are shown in 
Tables II to VII. These yields do not indicate what may usually 
be expected in any locality in an average or normal season. They 
more nearly represent what may be expected in favorable seasons 
under good farming practice. 

Careful attention has been given to securing uniform conditions for 
all varieties in each test, but no unusual or intensive methods of cul- 
tivation or manuring have been employed. At all places where the 
crop has depended upon the natural rainfall for moisture, total 
failures or very low yields have resulted in some years. The results 
indicate the behavior of different varieties under the same conditions. 



TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 9 

Since small differences are of little importance in judging the 
value of different varieties, the varieties are divided into three 
classes according to yield for each year and the result is shown in the 
last three columns of the summary tables. Class 1 is made up of 
varieties yielding above the average; class 2 of varieties of about 
average yield, and class 3 of varieties yielding less than the average. 
In calculating yields, 70 pounds of dry ears are used for 1 bushel. 

TESTS AT HUNTLEY. 

The tests at Huntley, Mont., have been made under irrigation. 
Three years' results arc available. In 1912 the test contained 6 
varieties; in 1913, 7 varieties; and in 1914, 11 varieties. Each 
variety unit was composed of two rows; in 1912 and 1913 these rows 
were 132 feet long and 3| feet apart, making an area of about one- 
forty-seventh acre per plat; in 1914 the rows were 170 feet long and 
3§ feet apart, making the plats one thirty-fifth acre in area. 

In 1913 and 1914 the variety plats were alternated with check 
plats planted to a common variety, and the series was repeated three 
times. In 1913 the check plats were planted to Minnesota 13, and 
in 1914 to Northwestern Dent. The seed was drilled in the rows, and 
the plants later thinned to one about every 18 inches. The yield in 
pounds of ears for each variety and check plat and the total yield of 
each variety are shown in Table II. Check plats are totaled in 
groups of threes, to correspond with the total yields of varieties. In 
1913 there were large differences in yields of replicate plats of the 
same variety and between the yields of check plats. The test for 
that year has little value except as the results corroborate those of 
other years in indicating good varieties. In 1914 the differences 
were smaller between replicate plat yields and the results were more 
reliable. 

The yields in bushels per acre, the increase of the variety over 
adjacent checks, and the rank and class of each variety according to 
yield are shown in the summary of Table II. For 1912 the varieties 
are ranked according to actual yield. For 1913 and 1914 the varieties 
are ranked according to the amount by which the average yield of 
the three plats of each variety exceeds the average yield of the six 
check plats adjacent to them. The varieties which have yielded 
relatively high in all tests at Huntley are Northwestern Dent and 
U. S. Selection 133. 

6827°— Bull. 307—15 2 



10 BULLETIN 307, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

Table II. — Yield of corn varieties grown at Huntley, Mont., by plats, for the years stated. 



Year and variety. 



Season of 1913: 

Minnesota 13 

Northwestern Dent 

Minnesota 13 

Minnesota 23 

Minnesota 13 

U. S. Selection 133 

Minnesota 13 

Brown County Yellow 

Minnesota 13 

Ardmore 

Minnesota 13 

Amber Flint 

Minnesota 13 

Season of 1914: 

Northwestern Dent 

Minnesota 13 

Northwestern Dent 

U. S. Selection 133 

Northwestern Dent 

Minnesota 23 

Northwestern Dent 

Brown County Yellow 

Northwestern Dent 

Martens White Dent .. 

Northwestern Dent 

Gehu Flint 

Northwestern Dent 

Cassia Comity Flint. . . 

Northwestern Dent 

Triumph Flint 

Northwestern Dent 

Fort Peck Squaw 

Northwestern Dent 

Longfellow Flint 

Northwestern Dent 



Plat 


Yield 


Plat 


Yield 


Plat 


Yield 


No. 


of ears. 


No. 


of ears. 


No. 


of ears. 




Pounds. 




Pounds. 




Pounds. 


1 


45 


13 


14 


25 


46 


2 


■ 48 


14 


27 


26 


42 


3 


48 


15 


31 


27 


43 


4 


35 


16 


27 


28 


42 


5 


47 


17 


33 


29 


39 


6 


43 


18 


28 


30 


49 


7 


34 


19 


26 


31 


65 


8 


30.5 


20 


21.5 


32 


57 


9 


31 


21 


26 


33 


77 


10 


23 


22 


28 


34 


68 


11 


15 


23 


27 


35 


70 


12 


10 


24 


25 


36 


50 


13 


14 


25 


46 


37 


81 


1 


75 


21 


105 


41 


106 


2 


72 


22 


88 


42 


80 


3 


79 


23 


111 


43 


94 


4 


72 


24 


104 


44 


113 


5 


111 


25 


117 


45 


105 


6 


68 


26 


74 


46 


71 


7 


100 


27 


108 


47 


96 


8 


95 


28 


105 


48 


79 


9 


97 


29 


115 


49 


90 


10 


109 


30 


126 


50 


108 


11 


99 


31 


96 


51 


92 


12 


70 


32 


S3 


52 


69 


13 


97 


33 


116 


53 


65 


14 


112 


34 


130 


54 


103 


15 


101 


35 


103 


55 


94 


16 


102 


36 


123 


56 


119 


17 


106 


37 


93 


57 


94 


18 


48 


38 


75 


58 


46 


19 


108 


39 


106 


59 


81 


20 


83 


40 


90 


60 


91 


21 


105 


41 


106 


61 


78 



Total 
yield. 



Pounds. 
105 
117 
126 
104 
119 
120 
125 
109 
134 
119 
112 
85 
111 

286 
240 
284 
289 
333 
213 
304 
279 
302 
313 
287 
232 
279 
345 
298 
344 
293 
169 
295 
264 
290 



Summary Showing the Relative Rank and Class of Each Variety for the Years 1912, 1913, 

and 1914. 



Variety. 


Yield per acre 
(bushels). 


Increase over 
average of ad- 
jacent checks 
(bushels). 


Rank. 


Class. 




1912(1 
plat). 


1913 (3 

plats). 


1914(3 
plats). 


1913 (3 

plats). 


1914 (3 

plats). 


1912(1 
plat). 


1913 (3 

plats). 


1914 (3 
plats). 


1912(1 
plat). 


1913 (3 
plats). 


1914 (3 
plats). 


Northwestern Dent 

Brown County Yellow . 
Minnesota 13 


58.5 
51.5 
59.0 
52.0 
63.0 
62.0 


25.0 
24.5 
27.4 
24.0 
26.0 


49.0 
46.5 
41.0 
35.5 
51.5 



-3.7 


-2.5 
- .7 



-4.0 
-8.2 
-17.5 
-1.7 


4 
6 
3 
5 
1 
2 


2 
5 
1 
3 
3 


4 
6 
8 
10 
5 


1 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 


1 
2 
1 

2 
1 


1 
2 
3 


Minnesota 23 


3 


U. S. Selection 133 


1 




25.5 
18.0 


57.0 
37.0 
57.5 
28.0 
44.0 
57. .5 


- .7 
-5.5 




3 
6 




1 
3 






















9 5 
-10.2 

10.0 
-21.0 
-4.7 

12.5 




3 
9 
2 

11 
7 
1 




1 


Gehu Flint. 










3 
















1 
















3 
















3 
















1 



















TESTS AT NEWELL. 



Results covering three years are available from the station at 
Newell, S. Dak. In 1912 the test was on dryland. The variety 
units were single rows 132 feet long, with the rows 3J feet apart. 
The variety rows were alternated with check rows planted with 



TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON" THE GREAT PLAINS. 



11 



Northwestern Dent seed mid the series was repeated five times, 
making a total area for each variety of about one-nineteenth of an 
acre. The yield in pounds of ears for each row and the total yield 
of each variety are shown in Table III. In 1913 and 1914 the tests 
were made on both irrigated and dry land. The dry-land tests were 
so badly injured by drought in both years that yield records were 
not secured. The irrigated plantings were made in 2-row units 
and the series repeated twice in 1913 and three times in 1914. The 
yield in pounds of ears for each plat and the total yield of each variety 
are also shown in Table III. The check-plat yields are totaled by 
twos or threes, to correspond with the total yields of varieties. 

The yields in bushels per acre and the rank and class of each 
variety for the three years are shown in the summary of Table III. 
The rankings are given according to the average yields of the plats 
of each variety. 

U. S. Selection 133 has produced relatively well in all three years. 
Martens White Dent has outyielded all other varieties by a consider- 
able amount in the two years in which it was grown. 

Table III. — Yield of corn varieties grown at Newell, S. Dale., on dry land and under 
irrigation, by plats, for the years stated. 



Variety. 



Row 
No. 


Yield 
of 


Row 
No. 


Yield 
of 


Row 
No. 


Yield 
of 


Row 
No. 


Yield 
of 


Row 
No. 


Yield 
of 




ears. 




ears. 




ears. 




ears. 




ears. 




Lbs. 




Lbs. 




Lbs. 




Lbs. 




Lbs. 


1 


15.0 


33 


16.8 


65 


17.0 


97 


19.4 


129 


17.4 


2 


14.5 


34 


13.5 


66 


14.5 


98 


18.1 


130 


15.2 


3 


14.2 


35 


17.8 


67 


20.8 


99 


21.0 


131 


17.4 


4 


12.8 


36 


13.6 


68 


15.8 


100 


16.3 


132 


16.9 


5 


16.2 


37 


19.4 


69 


19.0 


101 


22.2 


133 


18.6 


6 


15.4 


38 


15.4 


70 


16.8 


102 


20.2 


134 


24.3 


7 


15.4 


39 


17.8 


71 


19.2 


103 


18.8 


135 


16.8 


8 


14.6 


40 


14.9 


72 


14.9 


104 


17.0 


136 


18.6 


9 


17.0 


41 


18.4 


73 


17.8 


105 


19.2 


137 


21.2 


10 


4.6 


42 


6.4 


74 


9.7 


106 


10.6 


138 


15.1 


11 


14.1 


43 


16.2 


75 


16.2 


107 


19.6 


139 


17.0 


12 


8.1 


44 


9.1 


76 


10.8 


108 


14.5 


140 


15.9 


13 


15.2 


45 


15.8 


77 


19.0 


109 


19.0 


141 


20.6 


14 


11.2 


46 


14.9 


78 


14. 5 


110 


17.6 


142 


20.1 


15 


14.0 


47 


18.6 


79 


19.8 


111 


18.4 


143 


21.8 


16 


9.6 


48 


10.2 


80 


11.8 


112 


14.7 


144 


13.8 


17 


15.4 


49 


12.5 


81 


IS. 


113 


15.0 


145 


16.6 


20 


11.0 


52 


12.3 


84 


13.1 


116 


13.6 


148 


20.6 


21 


14.0 


53 


14.8 


85 


17.4 


117 


17.2 


149 


21. S 


22 


2.6 


54 


3.7 


86 


3.0 


118 


4.7 


150 


8.9 


23 


14.6 


55 


14.8 


87 


17.0 


119 


16.2 


151 


19.8 


24 


14.0 


56 


19.3 


88 


19.3 


120 


21.0 


152 


23.5 


25 


15.0 


57 


13.2 


89 


17.6 


121 


17.6 


153 


16.2 


26 


6.4 


58 


7.5 


90 


11.2 


122 


8.7 


154 


14.6 


27 


15.8 


59 


17.8 


91 


16.8 


123 


16.8 


155 


17.4 


28 


14.8 


60 


15.8 


92 


16.6 


124 


14.8 


156 


17. S 


29 


15.4 


61 


17.0 


93 


19.0 


125 


17.8 


157 


16.6 


30 


15.1 


62 


17.7 


94 


21.6 


126 


20.4 


158 


23.6 


31 


17.3 


63 


16.2 


95 


19.4 


127 


15.6 


159 


12.9 



Total 
yield. 



On dry land, in 1912: 

Ardmore Yellow 

Minnesota 13 

Ardmore Yellow 

Minnesota 23 

Ardmore Yellow 

U. S. Selection 133 

Ardmore Yellow 

Brown County Yellow 

Ardmore Yellow 

Red Squaw 

Ardmore Yellow 

Wisconsin 7 

Ardm ore Yellow 

Golden Glow 

Ardmore Yellow 

U. S. Selection 133 X U. S. 
Selection 160 

Ardmore Yellow 

Brown County X U. S. Se- 
lection 160 

Ardmore Yellow 

U. S. Selection 160 

Ardmore Yellow 

White Australian 

Ardmore Yellow 

White Australian x U. S. Se 
lection 160 

Ardmore Yellow 

Northwestern Dent 

Ardmore Yellow 

Payne White Dent 

Ardmore Yellow 



Lbs. 
85.6 
75.8 
91.2 
75.4 
95.4 
92.1 
88.0 
80.0 
93.6 
46.4 
83.1 
58.2 
89.6 
78.3 
92.6 

60.1 
77.5 

70.6 
85.2 
22.9 
82.4 
97.1 
79.6 

48.4 
84.6 
79.7 
85.8 
98.4 
81.4 



12 



BULLETIN 307, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Table III. — Yield of corn varieties grown at Newell, S. Dale, on dry land and under 
irrigation, by plats, for the years stated — Continued. 
Under Irrigation in 1913. 



Variety. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield of 
ears. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield of 
ears. 


Total 
yield. 




1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 


Pounds. 
76.5 
87.5 
82.7 
85.0 
79.5 
64.5 

104.0 
57.7 

101.5 


10 
11 
12 
13 

14 
15 
16 
17 

18 


Pounds. 
84.0 
85.7 
84.5 
102.5 
95.2 
74.2 
93.2 
60.7 
79.0 


Pounds. 
160.5 




173.2 




167.2 


U S Selection 133 . . 


187.5 




174.5 




138.7 




197.2 




118.4 




180.5 







Under Irrigation in 


1914. 










Variety. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield of 
ears. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield of 
ears. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield of 
ears. 


Total 
yield. 




1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 


Pounds. 
60.0 
64.5 
65.0 
80.0 
74.0 
62.0 
78.0 
62.0 


9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 


Pounds. 
66.5 
74.0 
62.0 
65.0 
62.5 
69.0 
82.5 
68.5 


17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 


Pounds. 
50.0 
66.0 
73.0 
82.5 
73.0 
82.0 
90.0 
75.5 


Pounds. 
176.5 




198.0 




200.0 


U S Selection 133 


227.5 




209.5 




223.0 




251.0 




206.0 







Summary Showing the Relative Rank and Class or Each Variety for the Years 1912, 1913,and 

1914. 





Yield per acre (bushels). 


Rank. Class. 


Variety. 


1912 (5 
plats). 


1913 (2 
plats). 


1914 (3 
plats). 


1912(5 
plats). 


1913 (2 
plats). 


1914(3 1912(5 
plats). | plats). 


1913(2 
plats). 


1914 (3 
plats). 




23.0 
21.5 
25.0 
21.5 
26.5 
20.5 
20.0 
15.5 
21.0 
26.0 


49.0 
56.0 
56.0 
51.0 
55.5 
38. 5 _ 


37.5 
30.0 
41.0 
38.0 
37.0 


4 
5 
3 
5 
1 
7 
8 
11 
6 
2 
14 
15 


6 
2 
2 
5 
3 
8 


5 
7 
3 
4 
6 


2 
2 
3 
2 
1 
3 
3 


2 
1 
1 
2 
1 
3 


2 




3 


U. S. Selection 133 


1 


Brown County Yellow 


2 
3 


































































U S Selection 160 


6.0 
















54.5 
45.5 
60.5 


37.5 


4 

7 
1 


5 


1 
1 


2 












48.0 
42.0 




1 
2 




1 






1 


U. S. Selection 133 X U. S. 
Selection 160 


16.0 

19.0 

13.0 
15.0 




10 

9 

13 
12 




3 

3 

3 
3 






Brown County Yellow X 
U. S Selection 160 














White Australian X U. S. 














Curren X U. S. Selection 160. 



























TESTS AT MITCHELL. 

Results covering three years are available from the station at 
Mitchell, Nebr. The tests have been made each year on irrigated 
and on dry land. In 1914 the crop on dry land was injured badly by 
drought and no yield records were made. 

The units were in all years 2-row plats, 132 feet long and 7 feet 
wide. In 1912 no check plats were grown. In 1913 and 1914 the 
variety plats were alternated with check plats in which a common 



TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 



13 



variety was grown. The series were duplicated in all years, making 
a total area for each variety of about one twenty-fifth of an acre. 
The yield in pounds of ears for each plat and the total yield of each 
variety are shown in Table IV. In that portion of the table relating 
to 1913 and 1914 the yields of check plats are totaled by twos, to 
correspond with the total yields of varieties. Yields per acre, the 
ranking of varieties, and the variety classes are given in the sum- 
mary. The rankings in 1912 are according to average yields of dry 
ears for the plats of each variety. The rankings for 1913 and 1914 
are according to the amount the average yield of the two- plats of 
each variety exceeds the average of the four check plats adjacent 
to them. 

Table IV. — Yield of corn varieties grown at Mitchell, Nebr., on dry land and under 
irrigation, by plats, for the years stated. 



Variety. 


On dry land. 


Under irrigation. 


Total yield. 


Plat 

No. 


Yield 
of ears. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield 
of ears. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield 
of ears. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield 
of ears. 


Dry 
land. 


Irri- 
gated. 


Season of 1912: 


1 
2 
4 
5 
6 
8 
9 
111 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
18 
19 


Pounds. 
69.5 
44.5 
105.0 
67.5 
97.3 
70.0 
58.7 
60.9 
66.6 
60.3 
76.5 
85.2 
47.4 
44.8 
46.5 


20 
21 
23 
24 
25 
27 
28 
29 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
37 
38 


Pounds. 
75.4 
47.0 
87.0 
71.5 
70.0 
73.0 
66.2 
69.4 
60.5 
56.6 
64.8 
64.5 
45.8 
34.1 


1 
2 
4 
5 
6 
8 
9 
10 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
18 
19 

22 

23 


Pounds. 
69.2 
45.7 
77.5 
55.0 
63.0 
57.4 
55.4 
60.6 
77.0 
70.5 
62.7 
88.2 
52.2 
67.0 
67.0 

SO. 2 

67.2 


24 
25 
27 
28 
29 
31 
32 
33 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
41 
42 

45 

46 


Pounds. 
74.0 

74.5 
63.0 
63.0 
72. 5 
58. 7 
62.0 
73.5 
71.2 
66.5 
62.5 

62.5 

72.3 

67.5 


Pounds. 
144 

91 
192 
139 
167.3 
143.0 
124.9 
130.3 
127.1 
116.9 
141.3 
149.7 

93.2 
135.7 
i 46. 5 


Pounds. 
143.2 


U. S. Selection 160 

White Australian 


M5.7 
152.0 
118 


Martens White Dent 


126.0 
129 9 




114 1 


Brown County Yellow . . 


122.6 
150 5 






U. S. Selection 133 


129.2 

144 7 


North Platte Calico 


152.2 
129 5 




i 67 


Australian Flint X U. S. 
Selection 160 


152 5 


Brown County Yellow X 
U. S. Selection 160 










134 7 


Colorado Early Yellow. . 






39 

40 

26 
27 
28 

29 
30 
31 
32 

33 
34 

35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 


62.7 
61.5 

40.5 
38.6 

40.5 

41.6 
37.2 
43.2 
37.6 

32.8 
35.5 

32.2 
39.2 
28.4 
36.3 
29.8 
33.5 
39.0 
32.6 
24.2 
31.3 
21.6 
20.5 
7.8 
5.8 
17.7 
14.2 




Do 














124.2 




Season of 1913: 

Mitchell Calico 










26 

27 
28 

29 
30 
31 
32 

33 
34 

35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 


61.8 
54.8 
61.4 

59.4 
61.0 
68.0 
61.8 

59.4 
63.0 

49.8 
57.2 
63.9 
59.0 
55.2 
60.2 
64.6 
60.2 
67.0 
64.0 
56.3 
63.9 
6S.0 
64.0 
75.0 






1 

2 

3 
4 
5 
6 

7 
8 

9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
11 
17 
IS 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 


32.1 
30.5 

35.5 
33.0 
40.0 
37.2 

39.1 
37.2 

33.1 
35.1 
28.8 
33.5 
38.1 
38.4 
42.4 
3S.4 
45.6 
43.8 
32.6 
38.0 
20.2 
41.4 
33.5 
40.5 


1 

2 

3 
4 
5 
6 

7 
8 

9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 


49.3 
56.4 

57.7 
58.1 
62.2 
57.2 

52.8 
58.0 

4S.1 
51.4 
55.0 
53.5 
43.8 
53.9 
51.1 
58.5 
53.7 
60.7 
35.5 
58.9 
32.6 
58.9 
70.4 
61.8 


70.7 
71.0 

77.1 
70.2 
83.2 

74.8 

71.9 

72.7 

65.3 
74.3 
57.2 
69.8 
67.9 
71.9 
81.4 
71.0 
69.8 
75.1 
54.2 
5S.5 
28.1 
47.2 
51.2 
54.7 


104 1 


Mitchell Calico 


117.8 


Ardmore X U. S. Selec- 
tion 133 


117.1 


Mitchell Calico 


119 1 


U. S. Selection 133 

Mitchell Calico 


130.2 
119 


Brown Countv Yellow x 
I). S. Selection 133 


112.3 
121.0 


Brown County Yellow 
Dent 


97.9 


Mitchell Calico 


108.6 


Colorado Early Select... 
Mitchell Calico 


118.9 
112.5 


Haldeen 

Mitchell Calico 

Martens White Dent 

Mitchell Calico 


99.0 
114.1 
115.7 
118.7 


Ninety-Day Disco 

Mitchell Calico 


120.7 
124.7 


Minnesota 23 


91.7 


Mitchell Calico 


122.8 


Arnber Flint 


100.6 


Mitchell Calico 


122.9 


Mitchell Blue Flour 

Mitchell Calico 


145.4 







Single plat. 



14 



BULLETIN .307, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Table IV. — Yield of corn varieties grown at Mitchell, Nebr., on dry land and under 
irrigation, by plats, for the years stated — -Continued. 



Variety. 


Plat 

No. 


Yield of 

ears. 


Plat 

No. 


Yield of 

ears. 


Total 
yield. 


Season of 1914, under irrigation: 




Pounds. 


22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 


Pounds. 
ins.;, 
102.0 

98.0 
107.0 
102.0 

98.0 
107.0 
120.0 
106.0 
107.0 
109. 5 
111.0 
113.0 

92.5 
111.0 

92.5 
100.0 
131.0 
103.0 

76.0 
110.0 

97.0 
103.0 


Pounds. 




1 

2 
3 

4 
5 
6 

8 
9 
10 

11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 


103.5 
113.0 
103.0 
110.0 
117.5 
114.5 
123.0 
103.0 
111.0 
107.0 
115.0 
109.0 
94.5 
104.5 
90.5 
98.0 
117.0 
98.5 
42.0 
105.5 
87.5 
108.5 


205.5 




211.0 




210.0 




212.0 




215.5 




221.5 




243.0 




209.0 




218.0 




216.0 


U.S. Selection 133 


226.0 


Mitchell Calico 


222.0 




187.0 




215.5 




183.0 




198.0 




248.0 




201.5 




118.0 




215.5 




184.5 











Summary Showing the Relative Rank and Class of Each Variety for the Years 1912, 1913, 

and 1914. 





Yield per acre (bushels). 


Rank. 


Class. 


Variety (2 plats of each 
variety each year). 


Dry land. 


Irrigated. 


Dry land. 


Irrigated. 


Dry land. 


Irrigated. 




1912 


1913 


1912 


1913 


1914 


1912 


1913 


1912 


1913 


1914 


1912 


1913 


1912 


1913 


1914 


Mitchell Calico 


45.0 
4S. 
56.0 
47.0 
43.5 
64.0 
42.5 
39.0 
46.5 
47.5 
41.5 
50.0 
31.0 
31.0 
30.5 


23.0 

27.5 
28.0 
22.0 
50.5 

18.5 

24.0 
19.5 
23.0 
23.5 
9.5 
17.5 


43.0 

42.0 
43.0 
41.0 

50.0 
47.0 
39.0 
43.0 
38.0 
48.0 
35.0 
44.5 
30.5 


35.0 

34.0 

39.0 
29.0 


73 
74 
70 

78 
64 
85 


8 
4 
2 
6 
9 
1 
10 
12 
7 
5 
11 
3 
13 
13 
14 


5 

1 
2 
10 

11 

6 
12 
9 

8 
13 

. 4 


9 
5 

10 
9 

11 
2 
3 
6 

12 
9 

13 
4 

14 
8 


4 

6 
2 
12 


5 
6 
8 
3 

1 


1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
2 
3 
1 
1 
2 
1 
3 
3 
3 


2 

1 

1 
3 

3 

2 
3 
2 
2 
3 
2 


2 
1 
2 
2 
2 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 
2 
1 
3 
2 
3 


2 

2 
1 
3 


2 
2 


Martens White Dent. . . 
U. S. Selection 133 
Brown County Yellow . 
White Australian 


2 
1 
3 
1 




27.0 




13 




3 












75 




4 




?, 




















North Platte Calico 




























TJ S Selection 160 






15 












31.0 
36.0 


63 


9 

3 
10 

5 
11 

1 


10 


2 
1 
2 
2 
3 
1 


3 


























36.0 
30.0 
43.0 


























Mitchell Blue Flour. . 


















63 




9 




3 


White Australian X 
U. S. Selection 160 






51.0 
45.0 








1 








1 

2 






Brown Countv Yellow 
X U. S. Selectionl60 


























Ardmore X U. S. Selec- 
tion 133 




26.0 
25.0 


35.0 
34.0 







3 


8 
7 






1 
1 


2 
2 




Brown Countv X'U. S. 
Selection 133 










Martens White Dent X 




72 
83 




7 
2 




2 


Ninety-Day Disco X 


























1 





























U. S. Selection 133, Martens White Dent, and Mitchell Calico have 
all produced relatively well. The yield differences between these 



TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 



15 



varieties are not sufficiently large to indicate the superiority of any 
one of them. White Australian has occupied a very high rank in 
the years in which it has been grown. It should be given further 
trial as a corn for hogging off. 



TESTS AT NORTH PLATTE. 



The results of only one year are available from the station at North 
Platte, Nebr. The tests were made on dry land. Plantings were 
made in 1912, 1913, and 1914. In 1913 and 1914 the drought injury 
was so severe that yield records were not made. The variety units 
were made up of plats 175 feet long and 7 feet wide, making an area 
of about one thirty-fifth of an acre, and each plat contained two rows. 
The variety plats were alternated with check plats, all planted to the 
same variety. The series was grown in duplicate. 

The yields in pounds of ears of each plat and the total pounds of 
ears produced by the two plats of each variety are shown in Table V. 
In the total column, the yields of the check plats are combined by 
twos in the same order as the plats of the different varieties. 

Actual and corrected yields per acre and the rank and class of 
each variety are shown in the summary. The corrected yields are 
secured by decreasing or increasing the actual average yield of the 
two plats of each variety by the amount the average yield of the four 
adjacent check plats exceeds or falls below the average yield of all 
check plats. The rankings are according to corrected yields. 

Table V. — Yield of com varieties grown at North Platte, Nebr., on dry land, hi/ plats, 

in 1912. 



Variety. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield 
of ears. 


Plat 
No. 


Yield 

of ears. 


Total. 




1 

2 
3 

4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

10 

11 
12 
13 

14 
15 
16 
17 
IS 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 


Pounds. 

111.4 
96.7 
97.9 
91.9 

103.9 
73.8 

107.0 
80.4 
95.7 
81.2 
92.3 
96.9 
78.4 
83.3 
87.4 
86.0 
85.8 
68.6 
88.8 
82.6 

101.7 
83.8 

104.6 
79.0 
88.1 
59.4 
78.3 


2S 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 


Pounds. 
89.9 
89.1 
99.4 
8S.2 
85. 2 
45.0 
73.8 
58. 
66.3 
69.3 
69.3 
71.0 
66.4 
75.9 
78.7 
88. 5 
81.4 
79.6 
79.8 
84.7 
87.3 
83. S 
79.8 
73.1 
76.8 
56.9 
82. 1 


Pounds. 
301.3 




185.8 


North Platte Calico 


197.3 




174.1 


North 1 'latte Calico 


189. 1 




118.8 




180.8 




138.4 




162.0 




150.5 




161.6 




167.9 




144.8 


North Platte Silver Mine 


159.2 


North Platte Calico 


166.1 




174.5 




167.2 




1 18. 2 




167.6 




167. :< 


North Platte Calico ■. 


188.7 


U.S. Selection 133 


167.6 


North Platte Calico 


1N4.4 




152. 1 


North Platte Calico 


164.9 


V. S. Selection 160 

North Platte Calico 


160.4 







i6 



BULLETIN 307, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



Table V. — ■ Yield of corn varieties grown at North Platte, Nebr., on dry land, by flats, 

in 1912 — -Continued. 

Summary Showing the Relative Rank and Class of Each Variety. 





Yield per acre 
(bushels). 


Rank 

(2 
plats). 


Class 

(2 
plats). 


Variety. 


Yield per acre 
(bushels). 


Rank 

(2 
plats). 


Class 

(2 
plats). 


Variety. 


Actual 

(2 
plats). 


Cor- 
rected 
(2 

plats). 


Actual 

(2 
plats). 


Cor- 
rected 
(2 

plats). 




47.0 
44.5 
30.0 
35.0 
38.5 

42.5 

40.5 


40.5 
39.5 
27.5 
36.0 
41.5 

48.0 

45.0 


6 
7 
12 
10 
5 

1 

3 


2 
2 
3 
3 
2 

1 

1 


Martens WhiteDent 
White Australian. . 

Minnesota 13 

U.S. Selection 133.. 

Wisconsin 7 

U.S. Selection 160.. 

Calico (average of 

28 checks) 


44 5 
38.0 
42.5 
42.5 
38.5 
39.5 

44.2 


45.5 
39.5 
41.5 
39.5 
38.5 
32.5 

44.2 


2 
7 
5 
8 
9 
11 

4 


1 


Golden Ideal 

Reid Yellow Dent. . 
Local Yellow 

Chase County Blue 


2 
2 
2 
3 
3 


North Platte Silver 


1 







TESTS AT AKRON. 



The results of only one year are available from the station at Akron, 
Colo. The crop was grown without irrigation. Plantings were made 
in 1912, 1913, and 1914. In 1913 the crop was so nearly a total failure 
on account of injury from drought that no yield records were secured. 
In 1914 a partial crop was developed, but the stands secured were so 
irregular that the results are not considered worthy of presentation. 

The variety units in 1912 were single-row plats 175 feet long and 
3^ feet wide, making an area of about one seventy-first of an acre. 
Plantings were made in hills 3 J feet apart at three different rates, 
one, two, and three per hill. The two-per-hill section was planted 
hi duplicate. The variety rows were alternated with check rows all 
planted with Swadley corn. 

The yields in pounds of ears for each plat are shown in Table VI. 
The yields in bushels per acre and the rank and class of each variety 
are shown in the summary. 

The highest yields were secured from the thickest plantings. The 
lowest yield was secured from the one-per-hill rate and the highest 
yield from the three-per-hill rate. The yield at the two-per-hill 
rate was intermediate between the other two rates, but nearer the 
yield from the three-per-hill rate. It should be borne in mind 
that this season was more favorable than normal, and the results 
obtained should not be interpreted as indicating that stands of 
three stalks per hill will produce best in average years. Rates 
thicker than two stalks per hill with the hills 3 J feet apart each way 
are not recommended for dry-land plantings. There is less differ- 
ence between the yields from different rates of varieties which sucker 
profusely than between rates of nonsuckering varieties. The White 
Australian and Red Squaw produce a large number of suckers, 
while the dent varieties produce but few. 



TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 



17 



Table VI. — Yield of corn varieties grown at Akron, Colo., by plats, at three different 
rates of planting per Mil, for the year 1912. 



Variety. 



Number of plants per hill. 



Swadley 

White Australian (N. Mex.) 

Swadley 

White Australian (Colo.) — 

Swadley 

Cassia County Flint 

Swadley 

Kiabab Flint 

Swadley 

Gehu Flint 

Swadley 

Red Squaw 

Swadley 

Brown County Yellow 

Swadley 

Minnesota 23 

Swadley 

Minnesota 13 

Swadley 

U. S. Selection 133 

Swadley 

Golden Glow 

Swadley 

U. S. Selection 160 

Swadley 

North Platte Calico 

Swadley 



Plat 
No. 



Yield 

of ears. 



Pounds, 
39.2 
40.2 
30.6 
47.2 
32.4 
26.9 
36.4 
42.5 
33.6 
30.9 
33.0 
39.0 
34.8 
32.0 
34.0 
30.8 
38.3 
42.5 
41.5 
43.5 
33.9 
45.5 
38.7 
27.0 
34.9 
40.2 
35.5 



Plat 
No. 



Yield 
of ears. 



Pounds, 



40.4 
43.0 



43.0 
44.0 
26.1 
42.5 
23.4 
38.0 
34.7 
36.2 
29.7 
41.0 
30.8 



Plat 

No. 



Yield 

of ears. 



Pounds. 



45.3 
48.0 



43.4 
48.0 
35.8 
31.5 
35.0 
50.7 
40.5 
45.0 
43.8 
42.5 
47.6 



Plat 
No. 



Yield 
of ears. 



Pounds. 
34.4 
34.3 
34.4 
44.6 
32.6 
36.2 
31.8 
42.2 
33.4 
33.0 
33.6 
43.0 
30.0 
28.3 
31.0 
30.0 
33.6 
34.9 
32.6 
35.0 
35.3 
39.0 
33.0 
24.4 
33.0 
34.5 
27.4 



Summary Showing the Relative Rank and Class of Each Variety. 



Variety. 


Yield per acre 
(bushels). 


Rank. 


Class. 


Variety. 


Yield per acre 
(bushels). 


Rank. 


Class. 


Number of plats 

averaged 

Number of plants 


1 

1 


2 


1 
3 


2 
2 


2 
2 


Number of plats 

averaged 

Number of plants 


1 

1 

24.0 
35.5 
30.0 
31.5 


2 
2 


1 
3 


2 
2 


2 
2 




Minnesota 23 

Minnesota 13 

TJ. S. Selection 133 . 

Golden Glow 

TJ. S. Selection 160 . 




White Australian 
(N. Mex.) 




38.0 

46.5 

32.0 
43.0 
32.5 
41.5 

30.5 


46.0 

44.0 
36.5 


7 

1 

10 
2 
9 
4 

12 


2 

1 

3 
1 
3 
1 

3 


31.0 
39.5 
40.0 
43.0 
26.0 

38.0 

34.5 


35.5 
41.0 
44.5 
48.5 


11 
6 
5 
3 

13 

7 

s 


3 
1 


White Australian 
(Colo.) 


43.0 


1 
1 


Cassia County 
Flint 


3 


North Platte 










2 


Gehu Flint 




Swadley (average 






Red Squaw 

Brown County 


44.0 
26.5 


2 













SUMMARY OF TESTS. 

Small differences are of importance only when it is certain that 
such differences are due to potential varietal qualities and not chance 
fluctuations. On account of seasonal fluctuations and the difficulty 
of eliminating experimental error, it is not possible from the results 
of one or a few tests to determine to what causes small differences are 
due. In preliminary and short-time trials only differences of con- 
siderable amount should be taken into account. These indicate in a 
general way the comparative adaptability of varieties to the condi- 
tions of the test. In districts such as the Great Plains area, where 



18 BULLETIN 307, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

but little attention has been given to seed selection, most of the 
so-called varieties vary widely within themselves, and established 
types are few. In varietal tests containing these varying types any 
smaU differences which may appear are obviously of little importance. 

In varietal tests in which seed is assembled from different localities 
those varieties usually give the best results which have been grown 
for some time under conditions similar to those where the test is 
made. Such varieties are said to be acclimated or to have become 
adjusted to the conditions where grown. Much emphasis has been 
laid on the importance of this factor. The usual recommendation is 
that if locally grown seed can be secured it is unwise to introduce 
seed from a distance for general planting, even if the introduced seed 
has proved to be of superior value where grown. While this recom- 
mendation seems to be justified by the large number of cases in which 
the locally grown seed has proved superior, it has in some cases been 
overemphasized by comparing averages rather than the performances 
of individual varieties. Since wide differences usually occur among 
introduced varieties and the average is lowered by those strikingly 
unadapted, this practice is obviously unfair to the best varieties. 

While natural selection is said to operate to adjust varieties to the 
conditions where grown, there is very little exact knowledge regard- 
ing the operation and effect of these so-called acclimatization and 
adaptation factors. Some varieties do well in certain localities or 
under certain conditions, but seem unable to respond to changed 
conditions. Other varieties are more adaptable and perform well 
under widely different conditions. To assume that a variety is 
best for a locality because it has had an opportunity to become 
acclimated may be as false a conclusion as to assume that a variety 
will do well in one locality because it has done so in some other 
locality. There seems at present to be no rule by which the per- 
formance or relative adaptation of different varieties to different con- 
ditions can be determined except by bringing them together in 
comparative tests. 

In the summaries of tables previously given, the varieties are 
divided into three classes, according to whether the comparative 
yields are good, average, or poor. The standing of all varieties 
according to this classification, from all the tests, is given in Table 
VII. 

Certain varieties have given good results in nearly all tests. Their 
yields have varied widely as conditions were favorable or unfavor- 
able, but their production as compared with that of other varieties 
has remained uniformly good. The most outstanding of these have 
been WTaite Australian, Martens White Dent, and U. S. Selection 133. 
Two of these have been grown under Plains conditions for a num- 



TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 



19 



ber of years, while the third, U. S. Selection 133, has been developed 
in Wisconsin and the seed introduced from there each year. 

Table VII. — Yield and class standing of each variety of corn for each test. 





Huntley, Mont. 


Newell, S. Dak. 


Mitchell, Nebr. 


North 
Platte, 
Nebr. 


Akron, 
Colo. 


Variety. 


Irrigated. 


Dry 

land. 


Irrigated. 


Dry land. 


Irrigated. 


Dry land. 




1912 


1913 


1914 


1912 


1913 


1914 


1912 


1913 


1912 


1913 


1914 


1912 


1912 


U. S. Selection 133 


1 


1 


1 
1 
2 
3 
3 


1 

1 
2 
2 
1 


i ! i 


1 
1 
2 
2 
3 
1 
2 
1 


1 
1 
2 

3 

1 


2 
2 
2 
1 
1 
1 
3 
2 


1 
2 
3 


1 
2 
3 


2 

1 


1 


Martens White Dent 


i 

2 


1 
2 




Brown County Yellow 

Minnesota 13 


2 
1 
2 


2 
1 

2 


t 


Minnesota 23 


3 




3 






3 


White Australian 


1 


2 
3 


1 


Wisconsin 7 


1 


2 




3 








Golden Glow 




1 
1 
2 
3 
3 






2 


2 
3 
3 


1 






1 

2 


1 


2 
1 


2 
3 




Northwestern Dent 


1 








1 
3 
2 
3 
1 


1 


1 
3 

2 
3 
1 






1 


U. S. Selection 160 
















3 


3 


Mitchell Calico 












2 


2 


















1 


2 


Mitchell Local White 
















2 




North Platte Silver Mine 














1 












1 


1 














Haldeen 














1 
2 
1 
3 
3 




3 
1 
1 
3 
1 






























Ninetv-Dav Disco 










1 
3 


3 














3 












Mitchell Blue Flour 


















Lyman White Cap 












1 










Chase County Blue Flour 






















1 




Gehu Flint 






3 


















3 


Kiabab Flint 
























1 


Cassia County Flint 






1 




















3 


Swadley 
























2 


University 3 
























3 
2 
3 
3 




Clarage 




















































Reid Yellow Dent 


























Salzer Fodder 














3 




2 





























Certain varieties, such as Minnesota 13 and Northwestern Dent, in 
some cases have been in the best class and at other times have given 
poorer results. This may indicate a narrower range of adaptation or 
less adaptability than that possessed by the varieties which have 
more often given good results, or it may indicate variability in the 
seed used. 

A few varieties, such as U. S. Selection 160 and Amber Flint, have 
failed to give good results in any of the tests in which they have been 
included. This can not be attributed to poor seed, as that used 
germinated well and produced good yields in the localities where the 
seed was grown. The conclusion seems justified that the poor per- 
formance of these varieties was due to lack of adaptation to the con- 
ditions of the tests. 



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Grades for Commercial Corn. Department Bulletin 168. 

Corn in tha Great Plains Area. Department Bulletin 219. 

Corn, Milo, and Kafir in the Southern Great Plains Area: Relation of Cultural Methods 

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Crop Production in the Great Plains Area. Department Bulletin 268. 
The Production of Good Seed Corn. Farmers' Bulletin 229. 
A More Profitable Corn-planting Method. Farmers' Bulletin 400. 
Corn cultivation. Farmers' Bulletin 414. 
How to Grow an Acre of Corn. Farmers' Bulletin 537. 

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